Seattle survives another third-period scare as Mackie Samoskevich delivers the game-winner at Climate Pledge Arena.
SEATTLE — Sometimes, hockey gives you a goal that makes you shake your head, look at the replay, and wonder how in the world the puck found its way into the net. Thursday night, Jordan Eberle gave the Seattle Kraken faithful exactly that moment.
Eberle’s improbable opening goal set the stage for a wild night at Climate Pledge Arena, where the Kraken built a two-goal advantage, watched it disappear in the third period, and ultimately found a way to earn a hard-fought 5-3 victory over the Utah Mammoth.
It was the kind of game that tested the patience of the Kraken faithful, but Seattle once again found a way to get the job done.
Eberle gets things started with a little luck
Just 3:38 into the opening period, Eberle fired a shot from the top of the right circle. Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka appeared to have the angle covered, kicking the puck away. But the puck caromed off the end boards, struck Vejmelka in the back, and slowly trickled across the goal line.
It was an improbable bounce, the kind of goal that leaves a goaltender looking behind him in disbelief while the building erupts.
Eberle will certainly take it. His fourth goal of the season gave Seattle an early lead and reminded everyone that in hockey, it doesn’t always have to be pretty. Sometimes, you just need the puck to find a way home.
Utah answered late in the first period when Vincent Trocheck scored on the power play at 17:57. But the Mammoth barely had time to enjoy the equalizer before Seattle struck back.
Matty Beniers restored the Kraken lead just 26 seconds later, finishing a beautiful passing sequence. Berkly Catton created space with a spin move before feeding Kaapo Kakko, who sent the puck across the crease for Beniers to tap into the open net.
Seattle carried that momentum into the second period.
Special teams give Seattle breathing room
The Kraken capitalized on a five-on-three power play early in the second period. Eberle found Brandon Montour, who drifted toward the slot and unleashed a slap shot past Vejmelka at 2:23.
Montour’s goal extended Seattle’s lead to 3-1, and for a while, the Kraken appeared to have control of the evening.
But anyone who has followed this team knows that a two-goal lead can disappear in a hurry.
Utah came out swinging in the third period, and Logan Cooley became the biggest problem for Seattle’s defense. He scored on the power play just 27 seconds into the period, then struck again at 7:42 to tie the game at three.
Suddenly, the Kraken were facing another late-game test after surrendering a multigoal advantage for the second consecutive contest.
The tension grew when both teams had apparent goals overturned following successful offside challenges. Every bounce mattered, every possession felt bigger, and the possibility of another frustrating finish loomed over the arena.
Samoskevich delivers when Seattle needs him most
With the game hanging in the balance, Mackie Samoskevich provided the answer.
Bobby McMann battled for a loose puck near center ice, carried it into the offensive zone, and kept fighting after his initial shot went wide. The puck bounced back into the dangerous area in front of the net, where McMann managed to get his stick on it and slide it across to Samoskevich.
Samoskevich made no mistake, firing the puck into the open net at 14:35 of the third period to put Seattle back in front, 4-3.
It wasn’t just a goal. It was a play built on effort, determination, and the willingness to keep battling when the game was slipping away.
That hustle made the difference.
Frederick Gaudreau sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 19:00, his sixth of the season, putting the final touches on Seattle’s 5-3 win.
Grubauer holds the line
While the offense provided the late fireworks, Philipp Grubauer played an important role in keeping Seattle within reach of victory. He stopped 33 shots, including several key attempts as Utah pressed for the equalizer.
Seattle finished with 23 shots on goal, compared with Utah’s 36. The numbers tell part of the story: the Mammoth generated plenty of pressure, particularly in the third period, and forced the Kraken to withstand a difficult finish.
Eberle and Montour each finished with a goal and an assist, while Beniers added a power-play goal. Samoskevich’s timely strike proved to be the difference.
The win improved Seattle’s record to 7-3-1 and gave the Kraken victories in the first two games of their four-game homestand.
The takeaway: Find a way to win
The Kraken won’t be celebrating every part of this performance. Blowing a two-goal lead in the third period for the second straight game is a warning sign that needs attention. Giving opponents that much life late in games is a dangerous habit, especially against teams that can capitalize on special teams.
But there is something to be said for a team that keeps finding answers.
Eberle’s bizarre bounce opened the door. Beniers and Montour made the power play count. Grubauer battled through Utah’s pressure. And when the game was on the line, Samoskevich and McMann delivered the hustle that Seattle desperately needed.
The Kraken faithful came to Climate Pledge Arena looking for a win, and that’s exactly what they got.
Eberle’s goal might not have been the prettiest of the season, but it was a reminder that hockey is a game of unpredictable bounces. The more important bounce came late in the third period, when Seattle refused to let another victory slip away.
The Kraken are building momentum at home. The challenge now is learning how to finish games without making it quite so stressful.
Final: Seattle Kraken 5, Utah Mammoth 3.